How I'm Finding Peace in Today's World

Sunday, October 8, 2017

"He must seek peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord 
are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request." 
1 Peter 3:11-12 (HCSB)

Each new season of life, I am mysteriously presented with the option to either hold on to peace or let go completely. As a new set of challenges freshly arrive on the desk of my existence, I can hold on to inner turmoil or I can choose peace. 

This is the part of the Sunday School lesson where most people say "oh, this peace stuff is easier said then done." I have to disagree. I find it more difficult to live with less than what God has for me. Here's how I see it: each day when I wake up, I can spread turmoil everywhere I go of I can transmit peace. I can't give what I don't have so I seek peace. 

I start by getting a good dose of the Prince of Peace Himself: Jesus. One of His names is the Word. The Word of God can be found in the Bible. Jesus Himself was knowledgeable of God's Word. Remember how he dealt with the Devil on Matthew 4:4? He quote Scriptures often and He knew what it was there. God's plan is all over Scripture and I find peace as I get a good dose of it each and every day. 

My problems are still very present in my life. So is God's Word but I have to seek it and pursue it in order for God's Word to take hold of me. This is the number one way I can hold on to peace in this present day. 

In case you are wondering, it is supposed to look foolish to others. How can the simple act of opening one's Bible and reading it restore peace, quietness and contentment to the soul? It worked for many before me. It worked for my grandparents who lived through perilous times and are now present with the Lord. It worked for Daniel (the guy from the Bible). It worked for his 3 exiled friends. It worked for Jesus Himself so it will work for you and I. 

I don't know if like me, you feel like you have a pile of turmoil on the desk of your existence. The way to move that over is to choose to have a face-to-face encounter with God's Word each day, looking for God's peace to fill your heart and mind.

I recommend starting with a Book of the Bible you are interested in. If you are completely open, start with Proverbs or Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.